Earlier this year, I had the opportunity to read to kids at Peninsula Community Library (PCL) for Story Stew. PCL staffer Thena Axiotis-Dahl organizes the readings and brings in people from the community to read books about their livelihood and interests.
This Thursday, Oct. 3, at 10 a.m., the guest reader will be Temple Florip, manager and yoga teacher at Yen Yoga & Fitness in Traverse City. I’m not sure what books she’s reading, but I’ve half a mind to go check it out and listen in. I bet there are fun books for kids about yoga.
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An excerpt from her page on Yen Yoga’s website:
Temple is passionate about sharing with her students the knowledge she has gained, but knows that there is always more to learn. She is also the manager at Yen Yoga & Fitness, where she strives to give back to the community which has given so much to her. She lives with her two favorite people: her husband and daughter.
When I read to the kids, Thena picked out some fun books about writing and editing for me: “What Do You Do With an Idea?” by Kobi Yamada and illustrated by Mae Besom; “A Squiggly Story,” by Andrew Larsen and illustrated by Mike Lowery; and “Ike’s Incredible Ink” written and illustrated by local author Brianne Farley.
I was weirdly nervous about it, but it turned out to be a blast, and I can’t wait to be a community reader again.

All preschoolers are welcome at Story Stew, which takes place at the NEW Peninsula Community Library on the first and third Thursday of the month at 10 a.m. And this month, Thena is doing an extra Halloween/Day of the Dead theme on the last Thursday, which is Halloween.
If you would like to be one of the community readers, contact Thena Axiotis-Dahl, [email protected].
Peninsula Community Library recently opened at its new location at 2893 Island View Road (on the corner of Center Road and Island View Road) on the Old Mission Peninsula. If you have questions about Story Stew or anything library-related, feel free to call the library at (231) 223-7700.
A NOTE FROM JANE: I started Old Mission Gazette in 2015 because I felt a calling to provide the Old Mission Peninsula community with local news. After decades of writing for newspapers like the New York Times and Los Angeles Times, and magazines like Family Circle and Ladies' Home Journal, I really just wanted to write about my own community where I grew up on a cherry farm and raised my own family. So of course, I started my own newspaper. Because the Gazette is mainly reader-supported, I hope you'll consider tossing a few bucks my way if I mention your event, your business, your organization or your news item, or if you simply love reading about what's happening on the Old Mission Peninsula. Check out the donation page here. Thank you so much for your support. -jb